Ever make a decision to change or start something new, only to find yourself bogged down in feelings of apathy or boredom shortly afterwards? You start with great energy and passion to spare, and then…wham, nothing. Me too. Most of us reach this point far faster than we would like, and it feels like a problem. Usually, we decide it’s a personal problem; a failure of our will or determination. We must lack the gene for follow-through that the successful have.

Not so much, says Spiritual Life Coach Danielle LaPorte in her latest book, The Desire map. Science has uncovered another interpretation all together. Science calls this resistance. And, before you go saying that resistance is bad, let me explain. Resistance that follows the feel-good effect of starting something new is actually part of the change process. It’s not bad at all. This type of resistance is the body integrating the new knowledge into its state of being. It’s an inevitable, and necessary part of change, which is why you may notice this happening every time you start something new. It’s also a signal (Your mission – should you choose you accept it) that slowing down, focusing on your desired outcome, and turning your attention inward are the next steps to take.

That you noticed the resistance in the first place is a good sign. You have already taken the next positive step forward, becoming mindful. Now, breathe into it. Breathing is the only involuntary act of the body we can control, and it is the key to releasing fear, resistance, doubt, and many other unpleasant emotions.

Then, focus on your desired outcome and remember that you are creating internal as well as external change. All changes are really both.

Next,visualize your desired outcome and imagine how you’re going to feel as it happens. This can be challenging, especially if you’ve never done it before. You may feel silly, or like nothing is happening. But, it’s worth the effort. If you can see your desired outcome in your mind’s eye, you can feel what it will be like to achieve it. Your mind doesn’t know the difference between experiencing a feeling and imagining experiencing a feeling. In other words, feeling is feeling. Whether you experience the event in real time or in your head doesn’t matter. And, if you can feel it, your mind can believe it. This makes you much more likely to see opportunities that arise in support of your goal and to take action on them when they come up.

And, finally, keep refining your work and process, improving it along the way and allowing it to grow. Being flexible about how your goal is achieved, and sometimes even when it is achieved, allows you to see the bigger picture. Sometimes what you end up accomplishing, from a flexible open-minded point of view, is far greater than you even imagined.

So, each time you start a project, make a plan or set an intention, enjoy the rush of energy that gets you started. And, then, when you feel your enthusiasm slipping, remember that it is time to breathe, focus, imagine the outcome and let your next steps flow from there.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Advertisements

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

About Tracey Lee Curtis

As a lifelong student of yoga, movement and natural healing, I continually learn and grow as an individual. I began teaching yoga twelve years ago, when I experienced it as a powerful healing tool and knew I wanted to share what I was learning. In 2015, I started graduate school and began studying to become a Chiropractor.
My teaching style has evolved to include a range of therapeutic practices, and is based on breath, flow, and awareness in movement. I use therapeutic movement and mind-body wellness techniques to help students connect with their own healing rhythm and energy.
My work is based in the science of the body and of movement, the psychology of how the body and mind work together to form the whole, and the art of Chiropractic. I work with small groups and individuals as a therapeutic movement specialist and as a Chiropractic Assistant. My work is constantly growing and improving as I learn from my studies and my students, as well as my own regular practice.

One Response to Resistance

Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before
but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it
and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!